King

The King

from Queens

is such

a drag

with his

endless

brag

and swag;

even taking

credit

for peace

in the Middle

East,

before taking

office

again,

when

in fact,

tact

and negotiation

not merely

inauguration

justify

celebration.

This MLK

Day

is certainly

ironic,

as the iconic

King

of nonviolent

protest

is bested

by the guy

whose cry

to make

America

great

again

will again

be sworn

in

as POTUS.

Not lost

on us

is the oath

taker’s

Oath Keepers

and other

creepers

who violently

stormed

The Capitol,

now watch

triumphantly

as Trump

ceremoniously

takes the oath

of the presidency

half

heartedly

under a

rotunda

so famously

seen

as the scene

of desecration.

It’s an

inauguration

I won’t watch

or care

to see

as the frigid

air

envelopes

more than

DC.

Maybe

it’s

good

that we should

still celebrate

the great

MLK
today,

despite

the awkward

juxtaposition

with

this inauguration.

This once

upon a time

I bend

to the real

King

to bring

me inspiration;

not the aspiration

of a wannabe-

get outta jail

free-

king-like

presidency.

We learn

from

this history;

the good,

bad, and

ugly.

American Dream

Leader

unique

in our history,

upending

the status

quo

of politics

and society.

Charismatic.

Inspiring

a movement.

Protesting

the status

quo.

Calling out

institutions

that have

failed

Americans.

Shifting

perspective

at home

and around

the globe.

Revered.

Feared.

Cheered.

Jeered.

Creating a

movement

and a moment

of history.

MLK.

DJT.

Both

American

sons.

Both dreaming

of freedom—

one from segregation;

the other

from incarceration.

One marched

to change

laws

to invite

democracy

for all;

the other

threw catsup

on the

walls

after inviting

others

to overthrow

a democratic

election.

One exuded

grace;

the other,

not a trace.

Demonstrable

authority

whose priority

was leading

through

new tactics.

One sermonized;

the other,

demonized

and weaponized—

literally—

by proxy.

Both understood

that violence

could

erupt

in an instant.

One welcomed

it;

the other

became a victim

of it.

And the one

who boasts

the most

of anyone

ever,

claims

victimhood

of every

situation

and

negative

comment

other than

his own.

One taught

non-violence;

the other

sought

compliance.

Will DJT

have a

holiday

in his

memory,

or will

today’s

caucus

in Iowa

be the coldest

reminder

of a chilling

future

that has

no historical

precedence

for presidents

of the United

States

of America?

Don’t

just

have dreams.

Take

just

actions

in honor

of MLK Day

today

(and as many

days ahead

as possible).

What

will

you do?